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Strait of Juan de Fuca
Photo: Erwin A. Dence Jr.
Downwinders
USA
Addressing a generally experienced audience of downwind paddlers - Michael Wood (surfskier and OCer who has lived in the Sequim area) says:
“July & August tend to have better west winds for downwinding. Conditions can be sporty or mellow depending on strength of W or NW wind (Ed: any south wind component pushes you away from land), ocean swell, and whether flood or ebb ,and tide range. 15+W wind is good, 20-25 excellent, 25-30 very sporty and fun. Especially fast with a flood. Bailouts are limited as you're paddling along a coastline far from a road. So (take!) usual (safety) precautions and good skills (are very) appropriate.”
(Editor's Note: The average wind is stronger during the rest of the year, most noticeably during the winter, but winter wind is usually from the South while July and August are the months with the highest % of west winds, not to mention warmer air temperatures for paddlers - Port Angeles Wind History)
- Clallum Beach to Pillar Point approx. 9 miles (very scenic but little or no place to beach if you have trouble) This section of coastline runs NW to SE so it will line up better with a NW swell.
- Twin Beach to Crescent Beach/Bay 12.1 miles
- …
- Cresent Bay to Freshwater Bay 4 mi (short run or add Freshwater Bay to Port Angeles)
- Freshwater Bay Boat Launch to Port Angeles 13 miles
- Out/back laps from Freshwater are good for all levels as there's a nice small bump that wraps around into FB to play on. And it's an easy beach launch protected from surf breaks. Freshwater Bay also has boat ramp should anyone want a support boat.
- Dungeness Landing County Park to Port Townsend - approx. 18-20 miles - This distance estimate assumes a fairly straight path which requires getting well away from land. If you want to stay much closer to the land to your south (Port Williams, Miller Peninsula) you will add a number of miles to your overall paddling distance.
- …
Freshwater Bay Laps
Canada
- While this page is focused on paddling on the US side of the Strait it should definitely be noted that Victoria area paddlers on Vancouver Island have found some very good downwinders on their side of the Strait: Victoria, BC Paddling
Flatwater
- Pysht River short coastal river accessible with sufficient tide level
- …
Conditions
Terrain
Wind/Weather
Swell
Webcams
- Race Rocks Marine Protected Area web camera that you can control - these rocks are located just on the canadian side of the US/Canada dividing line in the middle of the Strait, and just a little east of Clallam Bay (this is a high bandwidth camera, so they ask you to close page as soon as you are done viewing)
Camping
- Getting There - Scenic Byway Highway 112 - website has brochure with map marked with campgrounds, etc.
- Salt Creek Park next to Crescent Bay
- …
Races
- Downwind Race
- 2021 (Wanda Fuca) came back once, back on hold since
- Rat Island Race/Crossing Strait of Juan de Fuca at Port Townsend
- …
Safety
- Juan de Fuca Strait is cold water paddling. The average monthly water temp varies approximately from 7 degrees Celsius (44.6 Fahrenheit) to 13 degrees Celsius (55.4 degrees Fahrenheit). When in doubt, dress to swim.
- The Strait is no joke if conditions get rough and/or start pushing you away from land. Pay very close attention to weather forecasts and trends.
- The Coast Guard has a program where you may register your GPS/DSC radio and with one button push they will know your location and that you need assistance.
- Read the race posts above about crossing the shipping lanes if you have similar plans
Clubs and Groups
Surfski
Outrigger
Surfski Dealers
- Epic
- 120 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362, USA
- +1 360-457-1240
- Think
- Fenn
- Nelo
- ….
Repairs
Storage
Rental
Resources
- Northwest Maritime Center. Port Townsend learning center, marine skills - boat building, navigation, etc. Also organizers of famous PNW races 70/48, Race to Alaska…
